“You…” Mrs. Thompson stammered, her face paling as she stared at the man standing at the door.“Hello, Mrs. Thompson. Long time no see,” the man said calmly, offering a small wave and a polite smile.“What are you doing here?” Mrs. Thompson demanded, her brows furrowing in irritation.“I’m here for the introduction you’re hosting,” the man replied smoothly, his innocent smile doing little to ease the tension that had suddenly filled the space.Mrs. Thompson’s jaw tightened, and she shifted her gaze toward the maid who was still standing by the door. “You can leave now. I’ll take it from here,” she instructed coldly.“Yes, madam,” the maid responded with a slight bow before retreating hastily, clearly sensing the brewing storm in the room.Mrs. Thompson stepped closer to the man, her voice dropping an octave as she demanded, “Don’t give me that nonsense. Nobody invited you here! What are you doing at my house?”The man didn’t flinch. Instead, his smile remained steady, unperturbed by h
Marcus couldn’t help but notice his mom’s expression throughout the meeting. Her face was stiff, her usual warmth absent. It didn’t sit right with him. She had been so excited about this wedding, thrilled to meet Lily’s family again, and now, she looked troubled.He watched her closely as she sat silently on the sofa, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular.“Mom?” Marcus called softly, breaking the silence.Mrs. Thompson slowly lifted her head to look at him. “Yes?” she replied, her tone so soft it almost cracked.“Are you okay?” Marcus asked, his brows furrowing. Her unusual behavior was starting to worry him.Mrs. Thompson nodded, but it was a mechanical motion, like she wasn’t truly present.“The wedding is in three days,” she said quietly, her voice lacking the joy and excitement she had carried through the weeks of planning. “All the preparations are ready now.”Her words felt hollow, rehearsed.Marcus leaned forward slightly, studying her face for answers, but she avoided his e
“That’s right,” Isabella muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.Marcus’s frown deepened as he studied her. She was acting strangely—stranger than usual—and it was making him uneasy. He hated feeling unsure about anything, let alone when it involved his mother. What was going on with her?“Mom? Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked cautiously, his tone laced with genuine concern. His mother had always been strong, almost unshakable. Seeing her like this—distracted, nervous—was unnerving.“I’m fine,” Isabella said quickly, but her tone was clipped and unconvincing. She avoided his gaze, her eyes darting around the room like she was searching for an escape route.Marcus folded his arms across his chest, his unease growing by the second. “Fine” wasn’t an answer he could believe right now. He didn’t want to push her, but he couldn’t ignore how agitated she seemed.Before he could press further, Isabella finally looked at him, her expression sharp but strangely vulnerable. “We n
“We should focus on finding a solution, not wasting time on meaningless arguments!” Lily said, her tone firm as she frowned at the two of them.Austin nodded. “You’re right. That’s exactly what we should be doing,” he said, his voice calm but resolute.Sarah’s face hardened in response, but she bit back her retort. As much as she disliked admitting it, Lily had a point.After a moment, Lily turned to her father, her expression thoughtful. “Dad, do you know Mrs. Thompson from somewhere? She started acting differently the moment you showed up. There has to be a reason for that.”Austin’s expression darkened at her question, his brows furrowing deeply.Sarah seized the opportunity to press him further. “You need to tell the truth,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tense air. “This is about your daughter’s future. Unless, of course, you don’t want her to marry into the Thompson family.” Her gaze bore into him, daring him to deny it.The car came to a halt, interrupting the c
The next day, Lilian woke up later than usual. She stretched, yawned, and made her way to the living room.To her surprise, the room was empty. This was unusual; on any normal day, the living room would be bustling with activity. Her father was often lounging around, her brothers would be busy tidying up, and the general hum of the house was always present. Yet today, the place felt eerily quiet.Lilian frowned as she walked in, wondering where everyone had gone. She took a seat on the couch, absentmindedly munching on her favorite snack, a bowl of mixed nuts. She glanced around, her eyes searching for her phone.Before she could spot it, a sudden knock on the door startled her.“Who is there? The door is open,” Lilian called out, raising her voice to ensure the person heard her.The door creaked open, and to Lilian’s surprise, three groups of women stepped into the living room. She furrowed her brows, confused. None of them looked familiar.“Uhm… who are you?” Lilian asked them, her
One of the ladies knelt beside Lilian, carefully slipping on her heels, making sure the straps were perfectly adjusted.“All done!” the third lady exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement.“I think the car should be arriving soon,” the first lady said, her tone carrying a note of anticipation. Her smile mirrored the others, all of whom seemed to share in a secret that Lilian couldn’t decipher.Almost as if on cue, a car horn sounded outside.“Oh, the driver’s here now!” the third lady giggled, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she clapped her hands together.Lilian gave a faint smile, her thoughts clouded with uncertainty. She had no idea what was going on. No one had explained why she was being dressed so elegantly or why there was such an air of excitement around her. It was as though she had been dropped into the middle of a story whose beginning she had missed.The ladies gently guided her outside, their cheerful chatter buzzing around her like a swarm of bees. As they reache
Sarah turned to Austin with a frown, her arms crossed in clear irritation. “Why are you here? You should be in the car waiting with her,” she said sharply, her tone carrying the weight of disapproval.Austin’s expression hardened, and he crossed his arms in return. He wasn’t in the mood for Sarah’s usual dismissiveness. “What about the Thompsons? Why aren’t they here yet? What’s happening?” he demanded, his voice low but filled with tension.Sarah shrugged with an air of nonchalance, her calm demeanor almost mocking. “How am I supposed to know that?” she replied flatly. “They might have run into traffic on their way here or gotten delayed for some reason. It happens.” Her face showed no sign of concern, as though the entire ordeal was a minor inconvenience.Austin stared at her, his frustration mounting. “Traffic? Delayed?” he repeated, as though the words were absurd. “Sarah, it’s been over two hours! What kind of traffic causes this kind of delay?” His voice rose slightly, though he
“Why did you leave the car?” Sarah asked with a sharp frown. She looked at the reporters who had gathered around them and, with a subtle shift in demeanor, she gave them a warm smile. “Dear press, we’re all friends here. You shouldn’t cause unnecessary chaos just to get a few headlines. Please, don’t distract everyone.”The reporters paused, exchanging glances, as Sarah’s calm, authoritative tone made them reconsider their aggressive approach.“But is the wedding canceled?” one of the reporters pressed, unwilling to back down just yet.Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh. “Canceled?” she repeated, feigning confusion. “Who told you that? The wedding is still happening as planned. I’ve already spoken with the Thompsons. They’re on their way here now.”The reporters glanced at each other, their skepticism giving way to uncertainty. They had hoped for a scandal, but Sarah’s composure made them question their assumptions.“Oh, we’re sorry for the misunderstanding,” one of them apologized, ba
Moses drove home faster than usual, gripping the steering wheel tightly as his mind raced with unanswered questions. The evening had taken a turn he hadn’t expected, and he wasn’t sure how to process it. The tense dinner at the restaurant, Lilian’s abrupt departure, the words left unspoken—it all sat heavily on his chest.The city lights flickered past him in a blur, but he barely noticed. His focus was singular: getting home and making sure Lilian was okay.As he pulled into the driveway, he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew he had to keep his emotions in check, but it wasn’t easy. This wasn’t just about him anymore.The moment he stepped inside, the familiar warmth of the house should have calmed him, but it didn’t.Franklin, Gabriel, and Matt were seated in the living room, engaged in quiet conversation. But their focus quickly shifted the moment Moses walked in. His tense expression did not go unnoticed.Franklin raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze scanning Moses
Lilian stepped into the restaurant, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the room, but it did little to ease the tight knot in her stomach. She had been at work when she received Noah’s text, asking her to meet him here. The urgency in his message had unsettled her, but he hadn’t given her any details. Without hesitation, she had dropped everything, grabbed her keys, and driven straight over.Now, as she took in the scene before her, confusion swirled in her chest like a brewing storm.Noah was already standing, his gaze fixed on her the moment she walked in. But what caught her attention even more was the presence of two others at the table—Moses and a woman she didn’t recognize right away.Her steps slowed, and her brows furrowed as her eyes darted between them. Something about the woman seemed oddly familiar, but Lilian couldn’t place it.She swallowed hard, a sudden feeling of unease creeping in. “What is going on?” she asked
Lily stepped out of the car as soon as Moses parked. A gentle breeze brushed against her face, making her long hair sway slightly. She stood beside him, adjusting the hem of her dress, a radiant smile lighting up her features.“Where is this?” she asked, her eyes scanning the massive glass-fronted building before her. There was a slight furrow in her brows as she tried to process her surroundings. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power.Moses, standing tall beside her, kept his face emotionless. His sharp jawline was set in its usual cold expression. He barely spared her a glance before looking away. “One of my workplaces,” he said, his tone indifferent.Lily’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. She turned back to the imposing structure before her, marveling at its grandeur. “Wow,” she breathed, her voice laced with admiration. “You have so many sources of income?” She turned to face him, studying him like she was seeing him for the first time.She had always know
Lily stepped into the restaurant, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The place exuded an air of quiet elegance, with dim lighting and hushed conversations filling the space. Almost immediately, a waiter noticed her and approached with a polite smile.“Hello, Miss. Do you have a reservation, or would you like to book a table now?” he asked, his tone warm and professional.Lily gave a small nod, masking her impatience. “Someone is already waiting for me,” she replied, forcing a smile even though she found the entire process irritating.The waiter’s expression remained courteous. “May I ask which room?”“Five,” she answered without hesitation.“Ah,” he murmured with a knowing nod. “Please follow me, Miss.”He turned gracefully and led the way through the restaurant, weaving between tables occupied by well-dressed patrons engaged in quiet conversations. The scent of expensive wine and gourmet dishes lingered in the air, but Lily barely noticed. She had more important th
Lilian pushed open the gate and froze in shock at the sight of her brother, Moses, standing outside.Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected to see him there.Moses stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over her with concern. “You didn’t drive in? Why?” His voice carried a note of suspicion as he studied her expression.Lilian quickly nodded, forcing a yawn as if she were simply exhausted. “Oh, I’m just tired, that’s all,” she said, adding a weak smile for effect.Moses raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t convinced. He reached out his hand toward her, palm up.Lilian blinked, confused. “What?”“The key,” he said, his expression unreadable.“Oh.” She hesitated for a moment, then instinctively glanced behind her, scanning the street. Her pulse quickened. Marcus’s car was gone. He must have driven off already.“What’s wrong?” Moses asked, narrowing his eyes. He had caught the way her expression shifted.“Nothing,” she answered too quickly, shaking her head.“Then give me the key,” he
Lilian walked back into the room. The moment Timothy saw her, he stood up immediately, concern flashing in his eyes.“Are you done?” he asked kindly.Lilian nodded. “Yes, I am,” she replied, her voice steady.At that moment, Marcus walked in as well. His eyes landed on Lilian and Timothy, and a surge of irritation coursed through him. Their closeness unsettled him, but he swallowed his frustration. He was still treading carefully, hoping to earn Lilian’s forgiveness.“CEO Marcus, are you okay?” one of the executives asked, noticing the way Marcus’s expression had darkened for a moment.Lilian didn’t even bother turning her head in Marcus’s direction. Instead, she focused on Timothy and the executive who had organized the dinner.“I’ll be heading home now,” she said with a bright smile, shifting her purse onto her shoulder.“Oh? Leaving so soon?” the executive asked, his tone laced with concern. “Are you sure you can drive home safely? Maybe you should let someone take you instead.”Li
Lilian raised an eyebrow as she observed Marcus. The way he played was too smooth, too calculated. He didn’t look like a novice at all.Her eyes narrowed slightly. From the moment he picked up the controller, she had been watching him closely. There was a certain confidence in the way he moved, the way his fingers glided effortlessly over the buttons, executing each move with precision.Timothy noticed it too. And judging by the fact that Marcus had won every single round against him, there was no way this man was a beginner.“I thought CEO Marcus was a learner? How come you play better than me?” Timothy asked, chuckling, trying not to sound too loud.Marcus shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his seat with an air of self-assurance. “That just means I’m a fast and skilled learner,” he said, his tone carrying a hint of boastfulness.Lilian’s mouth twitched at his words. Typical. Always so sure of himself.Leaning back in her chair, she let out a small sigh, her boredom creeping in.
Lilian looked at Timothy and smiled.Marcus’ eyes darkened even further, his jaw tightening as he watched their interaction. The way Timothy leaned in, speaking in hushed tones, and the way Lilian responded with that effortless, radiant smile—it all grated on his nerves. He wasn’t one to let emotions control him, but right now, irritation clawed at him, demanding to be acknowledged.Lilian, seemingly oblivious to Marcus’ reaction, sat up straight and took a sip of her wine. The deep red liquid swirled elegantly in her glass as she held it with practiced grace. She wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary—just enjoying herself. And yet, the effect it had on Marcus was undeniable.The hall had grown noticeably quieter. Conversations had dwindled, replaced by subtle, expectant glances in Marcus’ direction.Everyone was waiting to see how he would respond.Would he lash out? Walk away? Or do something entirely unexpected?The tension in the air thickened.Marcus let out a slow breath, su
Lilian walked into the private room, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The air carried a subtle hum of conversation as several CEOs were already present, chatting amongst themselves in low voices. Heads turned briefly when she entered, though most of them quickly returned to their discussions, only sparing her a glance.“CEO Lilian, you’re here!” the host exclaimed warmly, his voice breaking through the quiet hum of the room. His welcoming smile was broad as he stepped forward to greet her.Lilian nodded politely, her expression composed yet approachable. “Yes, I am,” she replied, her voice steady and professional. Her gaze swept the room subtly, taking in her surroundings. It wasn’t overly crowded—just enough people to make the gathering feel important but not overwhelming.The host gestured toward a seat in a more secluded section of the room. “Please, let me show you where you can sit.”Lilian followed his lead, her movements measured and graceful, reflec